Program Development Specialist III

Position Summary:

The Program Development Specialist serves as a curriculum architect responsible for designing, mapping, and evaluating nursing and healthcare education programs using competency-based and concept-based frameworks. This role ensures alignment with institutional goals, accreditation standards (CCNE, CNEA), and the AACN Essentials (2021), supporting the development of rigorous, outcomes-driven for multiple programs. The collaborator translates complex accreditation requirements, domains, and competencies into measurable learning outcomes and aligned assessments across program, course, and weekly levels. Working collaboratively across teams, this role advances curriculum innovation, leverages data and emerging technologies, and supports continuous quality improvement to ensure programs meet evolving educational, regulatory, and workforce expectations.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Translate institutional goals, accreditation standards, and AACN Essentials domains, competencies, and concepts into program outcomes and competency frameworks.
• Lead KSAB and concept mapping sessions with faculty, subject matter experts, and stakeholders.
• Design integrated program structures including outcomes, concepts, competencies, sub-competencies, and progression indicators.
• Ensure all outcomes and competencies are measurable, observable, and aligned with competency-based education principles.
• Develop and maintain program blueprints that ensure alignment from program-level outcomes to course and weekly objectives.
• Apply backward design to align curriculum, instruction, and performance-based assessments.
• Collaborate with content and assessment teams to ensure accurate translation of program design into courses and learning experiences.
• Facilitate validation sessions with faculty and practice partners to ensure workforce and accreditation alignment.
• Conduct program reviews to ensure compliance with CCNE and CNEA standards and continuous quality improvement expectations.
• Identify gaps in curriculum alignment, competency progression, and assessment strategies and lead improvement initiatives.
• Utilize curriculum mapping systems, data analytics, and emerging technologies to support alignment, tracking, and reporting.
• Anticipate trends in nursing education, including informatics and technology integration, to ensure program relevance.
• Maintain integrity and traceability of curriculum maps across development and accreditation cycles.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Minimum of five years of experience in nursing curriculum development, program design, accreditation, or assessment.
• Demonstrated experience with competency-based education and concept-based curriculum design.
• Experience mapping curriculum across program, course, and learning outcome levels.
• Experience supporting or participating in accreditation processes (e.g., CCNE, CNEA).
• Strong ability to analyze data and apply findings to curriculum improvement.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, subject matter experts, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with curriculum mapping tools, learning technologies, or data systems preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for academic and accreditation documentation.

All new hires are required to attend New Collaborator Orientation (NCO) in Salt Lake City, Utah. The College will cover travel, lodging, and other accommodations.

Nightingale’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected both in our learners and collaborators because we believe the best outcomes for learners from underserved and diverse populations are achieved through collaborators with similar backgrounds and cultures. Nightingale Education Group is an equal opportunity employer.

Our Mission (not just words on the wall, we live it, love it, and daily contribute to it): With the primary focus on higher learning in healthcare professions, Nightingale Education Group contributes to elevating education, health, and employment systems through facilitation of academic achievement, personal growth, and professional development of its learners, alumni, and collaborators, while serving diverse communities.

At Nightingale Education Group, our Innovative Education model helps transform rural health landscapes through our blended-distance learning platform. Every person involved with Nightingale Education Group helps to change the lives of our learners, our communities, and ultimately the world by adding to the quality of healthcare. We are proud to have graduated nearly 5,000 nurses serving communities in need. We are serious about our outcomes and have a little bit of fun getting there.

The professional and personal development of our learners and our collaborators is our company’s foundation. Not only do we develop strategies that promote a positive work-life integration, but we also create an environment that invites you to become an expert in your field, be it through higher education or professional development. Put simply, we elevate employment, elevate health, and elevate education. We’re so happy that you’ve found us!

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screen.